Philippine Airlines returns to Europe

The Philippines is expecting a surge in tourism and business travel on the back of a ICAO decision to lift its sanctions regarding aviation safety, according to the Philippines ambassador to Germany.

“We are delighted with the recent decision of the ICAO in my country”, said the Philippines ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe Natividad commented at ITB Berlin.

The ICAO is the International Civil Aviation Organisation of the United Nations. Due to inadequate safety standards Philippine Airlines and the country’s other airlines were anned from flying to Europe for several years.

“A number of talks are still due to be held”, the ambassador said. However, she expressed  confidence that aircraft from the Philippines would start flying once more to Frankfurt “within the next 12 months.”

Commenting  on aviation taxes imposed on foreign airlines she said two major taxes had now  been abolished.

The government in Manila expects European airlines will soon be offering direct flights to the Philippines again. “That will give the economy an extra boost”, said Europe manager Venus Tan at ITB Berlin, who has her office in Frankfurt.

In 2012, tourist arrivals from Europe rose to 208,000, an increase of 12%, of whom approximately 69,000 came from Germany. During the same year some 4.2 million tourists from around the world visited the Philippines. This year the country is hoping to attract 4.7 million. (ITB news service)

Sourced: ttrweekly